Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display area of various shapes, has a reduced dead space, and displays an image. Further, the display device includes a display unit including a rounded corner portion, a first driving voltage supply line arranged in a first direction in a non-display area on one side of the display unit, a plurality of first driving voltage lines which supplies a driving voltage to a plurality of pixels and is arranged in a second direction that intersects with the first direction and being connected to the first driving voltage supply line, and a plurality of second driving voltage lines disconnected from the first driving voltage supply line.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/239,969, filed on Apr. 26, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/573,240, filed on Sep. 17, 2019, whichclaims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0167899, filedon Dec. 21, 2018, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to a display device, and moreparticularly, to a display device which implements various shapes of adisplay area that displays an image, and simultaneously, includes areduced dead space.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, purposes of a display device are becoming more diversified.Also, as a display device is substantially thin and lightweight, a rangeof uses thereof is being extended.

As a display device is variously utilized, in designing a shape of thedisplay device, a demand for a technology for increasing a ratio of adisplay area that provides an image and reducing a non-display area thatdoes not provide an image is increasing.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a display device which implementsvarious shapes of a display area that displays an image, andsimultaneously, includes a reduced dead space.

However, it should be understood that embodiments described hereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for limitationof the invention.

Additional embodiments will be set forth in part in the descriptionwhich follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, ormay be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In one or more embodiments, a display device includes a display unitdisposed over a substrate and including a first display area and asecond display area, each of the first display area and the seconddisplay area including a plurality of pixel arrays and the seconddisplay area further including a rounded corner portion, a first drivingvoltage supply line extending in a first direction in a non-display areaon one side of the display unit, a plurality of first driving voltagelines which supplies a driving voltage to a plurality of pixels, theplurality of first driving voltage lines being arranged in the firstdisplay area in the first direction and extending in a second directionthat intersects with the first direction, extending to an area betweenthe first display area and the first driving voltage supply line, andbeing connected to the first driving voltage supply line, and aplurality of second driving voltage lines which supplies the drivingvoltage to the plurality of pixels, the plurality of second drivingvoltage lines being arranged in the second display area in the firstdirection, and being disconnected from the first driving voltage supplyline in an area between the second display area and the first drivingvoltage supply line.

In an embodiment, the plurality of first driving voltage lines and theplurality of second driving voltage lines may be electrically connectedto a plurality of connection lines arranged in the second direction.

In an embodiment, the plurality of connection lines may intersect withthe plurality of first driving voltage lines and the plurality of seconddriving voltage lines to constitute a mesh shape.

In an embodiment, the plurality of second driving voltage lines maysupply the driving voltage to the plurality of pixels disposed in thesecond display area through the plurality of connection lines.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a switchingunit including a plurality of demultiplexers which is arranged in thenon-display area, demuxes a data signal and supplies the demuxed datasignal to a plurality of data lines, and a second driving voltage supplyline arranged in parallel to the first driving voltage supply line withthe switching unit therebetween, and connected to a terminal unit at anedge of the substrate, where the display unit may include a plurality ofscan lines and a plurality of data lines respectively connected to theplurality of pixels.

In an embodiment, the switching unit may include a first switching unitwhich demuxes a data signal supplied to the first display area, and asecond switching unit which demuxes a data signal supplied to the seconddisplay area, where a plurality of first demultiplexers included in thefirst switching unit may be arranged at a first pitch, and a pluralityof second demultiplexers included in the second switching unit may bearranged at a second pitch less than the first pitch.

In an embodiment, the first driving voltage supply line and the seconddriving voltage supply line may be electrically connected to each otherthrough a plurality of connection lines arranged between the pluralityof first demultiplexers.

In an embodiment, pixels of the plurality of pixels that are adjacent toan outer edge of the display unit may be arranged stepwise.

In an embodiment, the display unit may have one of a polygonal shape, acircular shape, and an elliptical shape.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a substrateover which the display unit is disposed, the substrate including curvededges.

In an embodiment, a length of the plurality of second driving voltagelines extending in the second direction may be less than a length of theplurality of first driving voltage lines.

In one or more embodiments, a display device includes a display unit inwhich a first display area and a second display area including a cornerportion at an edge of the first display area are defined, the displayunit including a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of secondpixels, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixelsbeing respectively disposed in the first display area and the seconddisplay area, and being connected to a plurality of data lines and aplurality of driving voltage lines arranged in a first direction and aplurality of scan lines arranged in a second direction, a scan driverand a data driver arranged in a non-display area, the non-display areabeing outside of the display unit, a switching unit including aplurality of demultiplexers which is arranged in the non-display area,demuxes a data signal output from the data driver and supplies thedemuxed data signal to the plurality of data lines, and a drivingvoltage supply line arranged in the non-display area and connected tothe plurality of driving voltage lines extending from the display unit,where the plurality of driving voltage lines include a first drivingvoltage line connected to the plurality of first pixels and a seconddriving voltage line connected to the plurality of second pixels, thefirst driving voltage line extends to the non-display area and isconnected to the driving voltage supply line, and the second drivingvoltage line is disconnected from the driving voltage supply line in thenon-display area.

In an embodiment, the corner portion may have a rounded shape.

In an embodiment, pixels of the plurality of pixels that are adjacent toan outer edge of the display unit may be arranged stepwise.

In an embodiment, the switching unit may further include a firstswitching unit which demuxes a data signal supplied to the plurality offirst pixels, and a second switching unit which demuxes a data signalsupplied to the plurality of second pixels, and a plurality ofdemultiplexers included in the first switching unit may be arranged at afirst pitch, and a plurality of demultiplexers included in the secondswitching unit may be arranged at a second pitch less than the firstpitch.

In an embodiment, a driving voltage supplied to the plurality of drivingvoltage lines may be supplied along a mesh path.

In an embodiment, the display unit may further include a plurality ofconnection lines arranged in the second direction, the plurality ofconnection lines being connected to the first driving voltage line andthe second driving voltage line by contacting the first driving voltageline and the second driving voltage line.

In an embodiment, an insulating layer may be arranged between theplurality of connection lines, and the first driving voltage line andthe second driving voltage line, and the plurality of connection linesmay be electrically connected to the first driving voltage line and thesecond driving voltage line through a contact hole in the insulatinglayer.

In an embodiment, the driving voltage supply line may include a firstdriving voltage supply line and a second driving voltage supply linearranged in the second direction with the switching unit therebetween,the plurality of driving voltage lines may be connected to the firstdriving voltage supply line, and the second driving voltage supply linemay be connected to a terminal unit.

In an embodiment, the driving voltage supply line may further include aplurality of connection lines connecting the first driving voltagesupply line and the second driving voltage supply line, the plurality ofconnection lines being disposed between the plurality of demultiplexers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other embodiments will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display device;

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an embodiment of a pixel;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a pixel;

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of another embodiment of apixel;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of a portion A of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a pixel structure;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged views of modified embodiments of FIGS. 6 and7 , respectively;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views of a modified embodiment of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of an embodiment of a display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments,embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detailin the written description. An effect and a characteristic of theinvention, and a method of accomplishing these will be apparent whenreferring to embodiments described with reference to the drawings. Thisinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention areshown. When description is made with reference to the drawings, likereference numerals in the drawings denote like or correspondingelements, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises/includes” and/or“comprising/including” used herein specify the presence of statedfeatures or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features or components.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on” another layer, region, or component, itcan be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, orcomponent. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience ofexplanation. In other words, since sizes and thicknesses of componentsin the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience ofexplanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “connected” to another layer, region, or component,it may be “directly connected” to the other layer, region, or componentor may be “indirectly connected” to the other layer, region, orcomponent with other layer, region, or component interposedtherebetween. For example, it will be understood that when a layer,region, or component is referred to as being “connected to orelectrically connected” to another layer, region, or component, it maybe “directly electrically connected” to the other layer, region, orcomponent or may be “indirectly connected or electrically connected” toother layer, region, or component with other layer, region, or componentinterposed therebetween.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display device 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device 1 includes a display unit 10,first and second scan drivers 20 and 30, a data driver 40, a terminalunit 50, a driving voltage supply line 60, a common voltage supply line70, and a switching unit 80 arranged over a substrate 100.

The substrate 100 may include a material such as glass including SiO₂ asa main component, metal, or an organic material. In an embodiment, thesubstrate 100 may include a flexible material. In an embodiment, thoughthe substrate 100 may include a flexible plastic material such aspolyimide, the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,the plastic material may include at least one of polyethersulfone(“PES”), polyarylate (“PAR”), polyetherimide (“PEI”), polyethylenenaphthalate (“PEN”), polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyphenylenesulfide (“PPS”), polyarylate, polyimide (“PI”), polycarbonate (“PC”),cellulose triacetate (“TAC”), cellulose acetate propionate (“CAP”),cyclic olefin polymer, and cyclic olefin copolymer, for example.

The display unit 10 includes pixels PX connected to a scan line SLextending in a first direction, a data line DL extending in a seconddirection that intersects with the first direction, and a drivingvoltage line PL. Each of the pixels PX may emit, for example, red,green, blue, or white light and include, for example, an organiclight-emitting diode. The display unit 10 provides a predetermined imagethrough light emitted from the pixels PX. A display area DA is definedby the pixels PX. In the specification, a non-display area NDA is anarea in which the pixels PX are not arranged and represents an area thatdoes not provide an image.

Though the display unit 10 has an approximately quadrangular shape, thedisplay unit 10 may be provided in various shapes such as a polygonalshape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a shape correspondingto a portion of these in various embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, the display unit 10 has a quadrangular shape entirely andmay include a rounded corner portion 10C in which each edge is curved.The substrate 100 over which the display unit 10 is disposed may havecurved edges in at least a partial area of an outer edge.

The first and second scan drivers 20 and 30 are arranged in thenon-display area NDA of the substrate 100 and generate and transfer ascan signal to each pixel PX through the scan line SL. In an embodiment,the first scan driver 20 may be arranged on the left of the display unit10 and the second scan driver 30 may be arranged on the right of thedisplay unit 10.

The data driver 40 is arranged in the non-display area NDA of thesubstrate 100 and generates and transfers a data signal to each pixel PXthrough the data line DL. The data driver 40 may be arranged on one sideof the display unit 10, for example, a lower side in which the terminalunit 50 is arranged below the display unit 10.

The terminal unit 50 is arranged on one end of the substrate 100 andincludes a plurality of terminals 51, 52, 53, and 54. The terminal unit50 is not covered by an insulating layer and is exposed and may beelectrically connected to a controller (not shown) such as a flexibleprinted circuit board or an integrated circuit (“IC”) chip, etc. Thecontroller changes a plurality of video signals transferred from theoutside to a plurality of video data signals and transfers the changedvideo signals to the data driver 40 through the terminal 51. Also, thecontroller may receive a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontalsynchronization signal, and a clock signal, generate control signals forcontrolling driving of the first and second scan drivers 20 and 30, andthe data driver 40, and transfer the relevant control signals to therelevant elements. The controller respectively transfers a drivingvoltage ELVDD and a common voltage ELVSS to the driving voltage supplyline 60 and the common voltage supply line 70 through the terminals 52and 54.

The driving voltage supply line 60 is arranged in the non-display areaNDA. In an embodiment, the driving voltage supply line 60 may bearranged between the data driver 40 and the display unit 10, forexample. The driving voltage supply line 60 provides the driving voltageELVDD to the pixels PX. The driving voltage supply line 60 may extend inthe first direction and may be connected to a plurality of drivingvoltage lines PL1 arranged in the first direction.

The common voltage supply line 70 is arranged in the non-display areaNDA and provides the common voltage ELVSS to an opposite electrode 223(refer to FIG. 3 ) of an organic light-emitting diode of a pixel PX. Inan embodiment, the common voltage supply line 70 is provided in a loopin which an opening is defined at one side and may extend along edges ofthe substrate 100 except the terminal unit 50, for example.

The display unit 10 has an approximately quadrangular shape and includesthe rounded corner portion 10C. The rounded corner portion 10C may bedefined at each of four edges of the display unit 10 and may be aportion of a circle that is formed at a constant curvature.

The display unit 10 may be defined as a first display area DA1 and asecond display area DA2 including the rounded corner portion 10C. Thesecond display areas DA2 may be arranged in the first direction with thefirst display area DA1 centered therebetween. The plurality of firstdriving voltage lines PL1 is arranged so as to supply the drivingvoltage ELVDD to the pixels PX of the first display area DA1, and aplurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 is arranged so as tosupply the driving voltage ELVDD to the pixels PX of the second displayarea DA2.

The lengths, taken along the second direction, of the plurality of firstdriving voltage lines PL1 and the plurality of second driving voltagelines PL2 extended in the second direction may be different from eachother. That is, the length of the plurality of first driving voltagelines PL1 in the second direction may be greater than the length of theplurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 in the second direction.This is because the plurality of first driving voltage lines PL1 extendto the non-display area NDA but the plurality of second driving voltagelines PL2 does not extend to the non-display area NDA and are arrangedonly inside the second display area DA2.

The switching unit 80 is arranged in the non-display area NDA betweenthe data driver 40 and the display unit 10 and demuxes a data signal andsupplies the demuxed data signal to the plurality of data lines DL. Thedriving voltage supply line 60 may be arranged between the switchingunit 80 and the data driver 40.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel,FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a pixel, andFIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of another embodiment of apixel.

Referring to FIG. 2 , each pixel PX includes a pixel circuit PCconnected to the scan line SL and the data line DL, and a light-emittingdiode, for example, an organic light-emitting diode OLED connected tothe pixel circuit PC.

The pixel circuit PC includes a driving thin film transistor (“TFT”) T1,a switching TFT T2, and a storage capacitor Cst. The switching TFT T2 isconnected to the scan line SL and the data line DL and transfers a datasignal Dm input through the data line DL to the driving TFT T1 inresponse to a scan signal Sn input through the scan line SL.

The storage capacitor Cst is connected to the switching TFT T2 and thedriving voltage line PL and stores a voltage corresponding to adifference between a voltage transferred from the switching TFT T2 andthe driving voltage ELVDD supplied to the driving voltage line PL.

The driving TFT T1 is connected to the driving voltage line PL and thestorage capacitor Cst and may control a driving current flowing throughthe organic light-emitting diode OLED from the driving voltage line PLin response to the voltage value stored in the storage capacitor Cst.The organic light-emitting diode OLED may emit light havingpredetermined brightness by the driving current.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a pixel PX includes the pixel circuit PC providedover the substrate 100, and the organic light-emitting diode OLEDconnected to the pixel circuit PC. Hereinafter, for convenience ofdescription, description is made according to a stacking sequence.

A buffer layer 101 may be disposed on the substrate 100, may reduce orblock penetration of foreign substance, moisture, or external air fromthe substrate 100 below, and provide a flat surface on the substrate100. The buffer layer 101 may include an inorganic material such as anoxide or a nitride, or an organic material, or an organic/inorganiccomposite material. The buffer layer 101 may include a single layer or amulti-layer of an inorganic material and an organic material.

The driving TFT (also referred to as “first TFT”) T1 includes asemiconductor layer A1 a gate electrode G1, a source electrode S1, and adrain electrode D1. The switching TFT (also referred to as “second TFTT2”) includes a semiconductor layer A2, a gate electrode G2, a sourceelectrode S2, and a drain electrode D2.

The semiconductor layers A1 and A2 may include amorphous silicon orpolycrystalline silicon. In another embodiment, the semiconductor layersA1 and A2 may include an oxide of at least one of In, Ga, Sn, Zr, V, Hf,Cd, Ge, Cr, Ti, and Zn. Each of the semiconductor layers A1 and A2 mayinclude a channel region, and a source region and a drain region, eachdoped with impurities.

The gate electrodes G1 and G2 are respectively arranged over thesemiconductor layers A1 and A2 with a gate insulating layer 103therebetween. The gate electrodes G1 and G2 may include one of Mo, Al,Cu, and Ti, and include a single layer and a multi-layer. In anembodiment, each of the gate electrodes G1 and G2 may include a singlelayer of Mo, for example.

The gate insulating layer 103 may include SiO₂, SiNx, SiON, Al₂O₃, TiO₂,Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, or ZnO₂.

The source electrodes S1 and S2 and the drain electrodes D1 and D2 arearranged on an inter-insulating layer 107. The source electrodes S1 andS2 and the drain electrodes D1 and D2 may include a conductive materialincluding Mo, Al, Cu, and Ti, and include a single layer or amulti-layer including the above materials. In an embodiment, the sourceelectrodes S1 and S2 and the drain electrodes D1 and D2 may have amulti-structure of Ti/Al/Ti.

The inter-insulating layer 107 may include SiOx, SiNx, SiON, Al₂O₃,TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, or ZnO₂.

A first electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst may overlap the firstTFT T1. In an embodiment, the gate electrode G1 of the first TFT T1 mayalso serve as the first electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst, forexample.

A second electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst overlaps the firstelectrode CE1 with a dielectric layer 105 therebetween. The secondelectrode CE2 may include a conductive material including Mo, Al, Cu,and Ti, and include a single layer or a multi-layer including the abovematerials. In an embodiment, the second electrode CE2 may include asingle layer of Mo or a multi-layer of Mo/Al/Mo.

The dielectric layer 105 may include an inorganic material including anoxide or a nitride. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer 105 mayinclude SiO₂, SiNx, SiON, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, or ZnO₂, forexample.

A planarization layer 109 may be disposed on the source electrodes S1and S2 and the drain electrodes D1 and D2. The organic light-emittingdiode OLED may be disposed on the planarization layer 109. Theplanarization layer 109 may include a single layer or a multi-layerincluding a layer of an organic material. The organic material mayinclude a general-purpose polymer such as polymethylmethacrylate(“PMMA”) or polystyrene (“PS”), polymer derivatives having aphenol-based group, an acryl-based polymer, an imide-based polymer, anaryl ether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-basedpolymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, and ablend thereof. Also, the planarization layer 109 may include a compositestacked body including an inorganic insulating layer and an organicinsulating layer.

The organic light-emitting diode OLED includes a pixel electrode 221, anemission layer 222, and an opposite electrode 223.

The pixel electrode 221 may include a reflective electrode. In anembodiment, the pixel electrode 221 may include a reflective layerincluding one of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and acombination thereof and a transparent or semi-transparent electrodelayer disposed on the reflective layer, for example. In an embodiment,the transparent or semi-transparent electrode layer may include at leastone of indium tin oxide (“ITO”), zinc oxide (“IZO”), zinc oxide (ZnO),indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (“IGO”), and aluminum zincoxide (“AZO”), for example.

A pixel-defining layer 112 is arranged on the pixel electrode 221. Thepixel-defining layer 112 may include at least one organic insulatingmaterial including polyimide, polyamide, an acrylic resin,benzocyclobutene (“BCB”), and a phenolic resin and may be provided byspin coating, etc. The pixel-defining layer 112 exposes the pixelelectrode 221, and the emission layer 222 is disposed on the exposedarea.

The emission layer 222 may include an organic material including afluorescent or phosphorescent material which emits red, green, blue, orwhite light. The emission layer 222 may include a low molecular weightor polymer organic material. A functional layer such as a hole transportlayer (“HTL”), a hole injection layer (“HIL”), an electron transportlayer (“ETL”), and an electron injection layer (“EIL”) may beselectively further arranged under and on the emission layer 222.

The opposite electrode 223 may be a light-transmissive electrode. In anembodiment, the opposite electrode 223 may include a transparent orsemi-transparent electrode and may include a metal thin film having asmall work function and including one of Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Ag,Mg, and a combination thereof, for example. Also, a transparentconductive oxide (“TCO”) layer such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃ may befurther arranged on the metal thin film.

The thin-film encapsulation layer 300 prevents penetration of externalmoisture and oxygen. The thin-film encapsulation layer 300 may includeat least one organic layer 320 and at least one inorganic layer 310 and330. The at least one organic layer 320 and the at least one inorganiclayer 310 and 330 may be stacked in turns. Though it is shown in FIG. 3that the thin-film encapsulation layer 300 includes two inorganic layers310 and 330 and one organic layer 320, a stacking sequence and thenumber of times layers are stacked are not limited to the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 .

A touch film 400 may be arranged on the thin-film encapsulation layer300 to implement a touchscreen function of the display device 1. Thetouch film 400 may include a touch electrode of various patterns andinclude a resistance layer-type touch film or a capacitance-type touchfilm.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the storage capacitor Cst of the pixel circuit PCmay be arranged not to overlap the driving TFT T1. The description ofthe pixel PX that is the same as that of FIG. 3 is omitted, and adifference is mainly described below.

The first electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst may be arranged inthe same layer as a layer in which the gate electrodes G1 and G2 arearranged and may include the same material as those of the gateelectrodes G1 and G2. The second electrode CE2 may be arranged in thesame layer as a layer in which the source electrodes S1 and S2 and thedrain electrodes D1 and D2 are arranged and may include the samematerial as those of the source electrodes S1 and S2 and the drainelectrodes D1 and D2. The inter-insulating layer 107 may serve as adielectric.

Though it is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the first TFT T1 and the secondTFT T2 are top gate-type TFTs in which the gate electrodes G1 and G2 arearranged over the semiconductor layers A1 and A2 with the gateinsulating layer 103 therebetween, the invention is not limited thereto.In another embodiment, the first TFT T1 and the second TFT T2 may bebottom gate-type TFTs.

Though FIGS. 3 and 4 describe a structure in which the first TFT T1 andthe pixel electrode 221 are connected to each other through a via holeof the planarization layer 109, the invention is not limited thereto.

Though FIG. 2 describes the case where the pixel PX includes two TFTsand one storage capacitor, the invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the pixel circuit PC may not only include thedriving and switching TFTs T1 and T2, but also further include acompensation TFT T3, a first initialization TFT T4, a first emissioncontrol TFT T5, a second emission control TFT T6, and a secondinitialization TFT T7.

A drain electrode of the driving TFT T1 may be electrically connected tothe organic light-emitting diode OLED through the second emissioncontrol TFT T6. The driving TFT T1 may receive a data signal Dm andsupplies a driving current to the organic light-emitting diode OLED inresponse to a switching operation of the switching TFT T2.

A gate electrode of the switching TFT T2 is connected to a first scanline SLn, and a source electrode of the switching TFT T2 is connected tothe data line DL. A drain electrode of the switching TFT T2 may beconnected to the source electrode of the driving TFT T1 andsimultaneously connected to a driving voltage line PL through the firstemission control TFT T5.

The switching TFT T2 performs a switching operation of being turned onin response to a first scan signal Sn transferred through the first scanline SLn and transferring the data signal Dm transferred through thedata line DL to the source electrode of the driving TFT T1.

A gate electrode of the compensation TFT T3 may be connected to thefirst scan line SLn. A source electrode of the compensation TFT T3 maybe connected to the drain electrode of the driving TFT T1 andsimultaneously connected to the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED through the second emission control TFT T6. Adrain electrode of the compensation TFT T3 may be connected to one ofthe electrodes of the storage capacitor Cst, a source electrode of thefirst initialization TFT T4, and the gate electrode of the driving TFTT1 simultaneously. The compensation TFT T3 is turned on in response to afirst scan signal Sn transferred through the first scan line SLn anddiode-connects the driving TFT T1 by connecting the gate electrode andthe drain electrode of the driving TFT T1 to each other.

A gate electrode of the first initialization TFT T4 may be connected toa second scan line SLn−1. A drain electrode of the first initializationTFT T4 may be connected to an initialization voltage line VL. A sourceelectrode of the first initialization TFT T4 may be connected to one ofthe electrodes of the storage capacitor Cst, the drain electrode of thecompensation TFT T3, and the gate electrode of the driving TFT T1simultaneously. The first initialization TFT T4 may perform aninitialization operation of being turned on in response to a second scansignal Sn−1 transferred through the second scan line SLn−1 andinitializing a voltage of the gate electrode of the driving TFT T1 bytransferring an initialization voltage VINT to the gate electrode of thedriving TFT T1.

A gate electrode of the first emission control TFT T5 may be connectedto an emission control line EL. A source electrode of the first emissioncontrol TFT T5 may be connected to the driving voltage line PL. A drainelectrode of the first emission control TFT T5 may be connected to thesource electrode of the driving TFT T1 and the drain electrode of theswitching TFT T2 simultaneously.

A gate electrode of the second emission control TFT T6 may be connectedto the emission control line EL. A source electrode of the secondemission control TFT T6 may be connected to the drain electrode of thedriving TFT T1 and the source electrode of the compensation TFT T3. Adrain electrode of the second emission control TFT T6 may beelectrically connected to the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED. When the first emission control TFT T5 andthe second emission control TFT T6 are simultaneously turned on inresponse to an emission control signal En transferred through theemission control line EL, the driving voltage ELVDD is transferred tothe organic light-emitting diode OLED, and a driving current flowsthrough the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

A gate electrode of the second initialization TFT T7 may be connected toa third scan line SLn+1. A source electrode of the second initializationTFT T7 may be connected to the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED. A drain electrode of the secondinitialization TFT T7 may be connected to the initialization voltageline VL. The second initialization TFT T7 may be turned on in responseto a third scan signal Sn+1 transferred through the third scan lineSLn+1 and may initialize the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED.

The other electrode of the storage capacitor Cst may be connected to thedriving voltage line PL. One electrode of the storage capacitor Cst maybe connected to the gate electrode of the driving TFT T1, the drainelectrode of the compensation TFT T3, and the source electrode of thefirst initialization TFT T4 simultaneously.

The opposite electrode of the organic light-emitting diode OLED isconnected to the common voltage (also referred to as “common powervoltage”) ELVSS. The organic light-emitting diode OLED emits light byreceiving the driving current from the driving TFT T1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion A of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 7 is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 . FIGS. 6 and 7 enlarge and showthe corner portion 10C of the display unit 10 of FIG. 1 and surroundingsthereof

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 , the display device 1 in an embodimentincludes the display unit 10 in which edges thereof are rounded. Thedisplay unit 10 includes the first display area DA1 and the seconddisplay area DA2, each including an array of plurality of pixels PX andextending in the second direction. The second display area DA2 includesa rounded corner portion 10C, and the first display area DA1 is arrangedbetween the second display areas DA2.

Since the pixels PX arranged in the rounded corner portion 10C aresubstantially arranged stepwise, a boundary between the first displayarea DA1 and the second display area DA2 may be a portion from which afirst stepwise arrangement of the pixels PX starts. Therefore, the firstdisplay area DA1 includes a straight pixel arrangement over an entirearea, and the second display area DA2 includes a stepwise pixelarrangement at the corner portion 10C.

The driving voltage supply line 60 and the switching unit 80 may bedisposed in the non-display area NDA on one side of the display unit 10.Though it is shown in the embodiment that the switching unit 80 isarranged between the driving voltage supply line 60 and the display unit10, a first driving voltage supply line 61 and a second driving voltagesupply line 62 may be disposed with the switching unit 80 therebetweenas shown in FIG. 9 in another embodiment, which will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 .

The switching unit 80 includes a plurality of demultiplexers DMX whichdemuxes a data signal and supplies the demuxed data signal to aplurality of data lines DL. Though not shown, each of the plurality ofdemultiplexers DMX may include a control TFT and a switching TFT. Thoughit is shown in FIG. 7 that the demultiplexer DMX is connected to twodata lines DL, the demultiplexer DMX may be connected to three or moredata lines DL.

The demultiplexer DMX is connected to the data driver 40 through amultiplex data line MDL. The data driver 40 generates multiplex datasignals under control of a controller (not shown) and supplies thegenerated multiplex data signals to the multiplex data line MDL. Thatis, the data driver 40 may supply signals to two or more data lines DLthrough one multiplex data line MDL by the demultiplexer DMX. Throughthis, the number of output lines connected to the data driver 40 may beeffectively reduced under high resolution.

The switching unit 80 includes a first switching unit 81 and a secondswitching unit 82 separated around a boundary between the first displayarea DA1 and the second display area DA2. The first switching unit 81may correspond to the first display area DA1, and the second switchingunit 82 may correspond to the second display area DA2.

The first switching unit 81 and the second switching unit 82 mayrespectively include a plurality of first demultiplexers DMX1 and aplurality of second demultiplexers DMX2. In the illustrated embodiment,the plurality of first demultiplexers DMX1 is arranged at a first pitchP1, and the plurality of second demultiplexers DMX2 is arranged at asecond pitch P2. In this case, the second pitch P2 may be less than thefirst pitch P1.

A plurality of first driving voltage lines PL1 which is arranged in thefirst direction and extended in the second direction, and supplies thedriving voltage to a plurality of first pixels PX1 is provided in thefirst display area DA1. A plurality of second driving voltage lines PL2which is arranged in the first direction and extended in the seconddirection, and supplies the driving voltage to a plurality of secondpixels PX2 is provided in the second display area DA2. The plurality offirst driving voltage lines PL1 is connected to the driving voltagesupply line 60 passing the first switching unit 81. In contrast, theplurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 is not connected to thedriving voltage supply line 60. That is, the plurality of first drivingvoltage lines PL1 extends to an area between the first display area DA1and the driving voltage supply line 60 and is connected to the drivingvoltage supply line 60. In contrast, the plurality of second drivingvoltage lines PL2 does not extend to an area between the second displayarea DA2 and the driving voltage supply line 60 and thus is disconnectedfrom the driving voltage supply line 60.

All of the plurality of pixels PX arranged in the display unit 10 areconnected to the data line DL and the driving voltage line PL arrangedin the first direction and extended in the second direction. The dataline DL and the driving voltage line PL extend from the display area DAto the non-display area NDA and are electrically connected to thecontroller (not shown). In this case, compared to the first display areaDA1 in which an outer edge of the display unit 10 is provided in astraight line, the second display area DA2 in which an outer edge of thedisplay unit 10 is provided in a rounded shape includes a limited spaceof the non-display area NDA in which the data line DL and the drivingvoltage line PL are connected to all of the pixels PX in the seconddisplay area DA2. This space is further limited when high resolution isimplemented and a curvature of the corner portion 10C becomes small.

Therefore, in the display device 1 in an embodiment, the plurality ofsecond driving voltage lines PL2 arranged in the second display area DA2does not extend to the area between the second display area DA2 and thedriving voltage supply line 60, and is disconnected from the drivingvoltage supply line 60. Through this configuration, a space in which thedata lines DL are arranged in the area between the second display areaDA2 and the driving voltage supply line 60 may be effectively secured.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a pixel structure.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 6 , all of the data line DL and the pluralityof first driving voltage lines PL1 connected to the first pixels PX1 inthe first display area DA1 extend to the non-display area NDA. Incontrast, the data line DL connected to the second pixels PX2 in thesecond display area DA2 extends to the non-display area NDA but theplurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 does not extend to thenon-display area NDA and is disconnected from an outer edge of thesecond display area DA2.

As described above, since the plurality of second driving voltage linesPL2 does not extend to the non-display area NDA, the plurality of seconddriving voltage lines PL2 is not directly connected to the drivingvoltage supply line 60 arranged in the non-display area NDA. Therefore,the plurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 may be electricallyconnected to each other by a plurality of connection lines CL extendedin the first direction so as to receive the driving voltage. Theplurality of connection lines CL may intersect with the plurality offirst driving voltage lines PL1 and the plurality of second drivingvoltage lines PL2 to constitute a mesh shape. The plurality of seconddriving voltage lines PL2 may supply the driving voltage to the pixelsPX2 disposed in the second display area DA2 through the plurality ofconnection lines CL. The first pixels PX1 and the second pixels PX2disposed on the same row may be connected through the same connectionline CL.

The plurality of connection lines CL may be electrically connectedthrough a contact hole CNT defined in an insulating layer (not shown)arranged between the plurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 andthe plurality of connection lines CL. In an embodiment, the plurality ofconnection lines CL may be arranged in the same layer in which thesecond electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst of FIG. 3 is arranged,and the plurality of second driving voltage lines PL2 may be arranged inthe same layer in which the data line DL of FIG. 3 is arranged. Throughthis structure, consequently, the driving voltage supplied to thedriving voltage line PL disposed in the display area DA may include amesh path.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of another embodiment of the displaydevice 1. FIGS. 9 and 10 show modified embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 .

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the display device 1 according to theembodiment includes the first driving voltage supply line 61, the seconddriving voltage supply line 62, and a plurality of connection lines 63connecting the first driving voltage supply line 61 and the seconddriving voltage supply line 62. The first driving voltage supply line 61and the second driving voltage supply line 62 may be arranged in thesecond direction, and the plurality of connection lines 63 may bearranged in the first direction that intersects with the seconddirection.

The first driving voltage supply line 61 may be directly connected tothe first driving voltage line PL1 extending from the first display areaDA1, and the second driving voltage supply line 62 may be directlyconnected to the terminal 52 (refer to FIG. 1 ). Through this doublewiring structure, a resistance of the wiring itself may be reduced andthus the driving voltage may be effectively supplied to the display areaDA under high resolution.

The switching unit 80 is arranged between the first driving voltagesupply line 61 and the second driving voltage supply line 62. Like theprevious embodiment, the switching unit 80 includes the first switchingunit 81 and the second switching unit 82 separated around the boundarybetween the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. Thefirst switching unit 81 corresponds to the first display area DA1, andthe second switching unit 82 corresponds to the second display area DA2.

The first switching unit 81 and the second switching unit 82 mayrespectively include the plurality of first demultiplexers DMX1 and theplurality of second demultiplexers DMX2. In the illustrated embodiment,the plurality of first demultiplexers DMX1 is arranged at the firstpitch P1, and the plurality of second demultiplexers DMX2 is arranged atthe second pitch P2. In this case, the second pitch P2 may be less thanthe first pitch P1. Referring to FIG. 10 , the connection line 63 may bedisposed between the plurality of first demultiplexers DMX1.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display device 2 according to anotherembodiment. The display device 2 of FIG. 11 is different from thedisplay device 1 of FIG. 1 in the shape of the display unit 10.Therefore, repeated description is omitted and a difference is mainlydescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the display device 2 according to the illustratedembodiment may include the display unit 10 having various shapes. Thedisplay unit 10 may include a concave portion 10R indented inward in oneside of the display unit 10. A through portion TH may be disposed in thenon-display area NDA in which the concave portion 10R is disposed. In anembodiment, the through portion TH is a hole that passes through thedisplay device 2, for example. Various electronic elements such as acamera, a sensor, a speaker, a microphone, etc., may be disposed (e.g.,mounted) on the through portion TH. In an alternative embodiment, thethrough portion TH may include a space for a separate member for afunction of the display device 2 or a separate member that may add a newfunction to the display device 2.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another embodiment of a display device 3. Thedisplay device 3 of FIG. 12 is different from the display device 1 ofFIG. 1 in the configuration of the driving voltage supply line.Therefore, repeated description is omitted and a difference is mainlydescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 12 , the display device 3 in the illustratedembodiment may include the first driving voltage supply line 61 on oneside of the display unit 10, and the second driving voltage supply line62 on another side of the display unit 10. One side of the first drivingvoltage line PL1 disposed in the first display area DA1 may beconnected, in the second direction, to the first driving voltage supplyline 61, and another side of the first driving voltage line PL1 may beconnected, in the second direction, to the second driving voltage supplyline 62.

The second driving voltage line PL2 disposed in the second display areaDA2 does not extend toward the first driving voltage supply line 61 andthe second driving voltage supply line 62 and is not connected to thefirst driving voltage supply line 61 and the second driving voltagesupply line 62 in the second direction. The second driving voltage linePL2 is not directly connected to the first driving voltage supply line61 and the second driving voltage supply line 62 in the seconddirection. The second driving voltage line PL2 is removed in thenon-display area NDA between the second display area DA2 and the firstdriving voltage supply line 61 and in the non-display area NDA betweenthe second display area DA2 and the second driving voltage supply line62, and thus is disconnected from the first driving voltage supply line61 and the second driving voltage supply line 62 in the non-display areaNDA. As described above, the second driving voltage line PL2 may receivethe driving voltage by being electrically connected to the plurality ofconnection lines CL (refer to FIG. 8 ) and having a mesh shape.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the display device 1 inan embodiment. FIG. 13 may correspond to a lower right end of thedisplay device 1 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 13 may be understood as an area thatis symmetrical with a portion A of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 13 , one side with reference to a reference line RXmay be defined as the first display area DA1, and another side withreference to the reference line RX may be defined as the second displayarea DA2. The second display area DA2 includes an area including therounded corner portion 10C, and the reference line RX may be understoodas a point from which the rounded corner portion 10C starts. An edge ofthe substrate 100 that is adjacent to the second display area DA2 may beprovided in a rounded shape corresponding to the shape of the roundedcorner portion 10C.

A first driving circuit area DCA1 may be disposed in the non-displayarea NDA that is adjacent to the second display area DA2 in the firstdirection. Driving circuits such as an emission control driver (notshown) as well as the second scan driver 30 of FIG. 1 may be arranged inthe first driving circuit area DCA1.

First and second switching areas SWA1 and SWA2 may be arranged in thenon-display area NDA that is adjacent to the first and second displayareas DA1 and DA2 in the first direction. The first and second switchingunits 81 and 82 of FIG. 6 may be arranged in the first and secondswitching areas SWA1 and SWA2, and may include the first and seconddemultiplexers DMX1 and DMX2 as shown in FIG. 7 .

A second driving circuit area DCA2 may be disposed in an edge of thesubstrate 100. The data driver 40 of FIG. 1 may be disposed in thesecond driving circuit area DCA2. Though not shown, a film on glass(“FOG”), a chip on glass (“COG”), etc., may be arranged in the relevantarea.

A first fan-out area FOA1 may be disposed between the first and secondswitching areas SWA1 and SWA2 and a second driving circuit area DCA2.Also, a second fan-out area FOA2 may be disposed between the seconddisplay area DA2 and the second switching area SWA2. The multiplex dataline MDL (refer to FIG. 7 ) may be arranged in the first fan-out areaFOAL The data line DL (refer to FIG. 7 ) may be arranged in the secondfan-out area FOA2.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 7 (or FIG. 9 ), compared to the first displayarea DA1 in which an outer edge of the display unit 10 is provided in astraight line, the second display area DA2 in which an outer edge of thedisplay unit 10 is provided in a rounded shape includes a limited spaceof the non-display area NDA, that is, the second fan-out area FOA2, inwhich the data line DL and the driving voltage line PL are connected toall of the pixels PX in the second display area DA2. This space isfurther limited when high resolution is implemented and a curvature ofthe corner portion 10C becomes small.

The plurality of driving voltage lines PL2 arranged in the seconddisplay area DA2 is disconnected from the driving voltage supply line 60and receives an electric signal through a mesh shape as shown in FIG. 8. Through this structure, a space in which the data line DL is arrangedin the second fan-out area FOA2 between the second display area DA2 andthe second switching area SWA2 may be efficiently secured.

An embodiment may implement a display device which implements variousshapes of a display area that displays an image, and simultaneously,includes a reduced dead space. However, the scope of the invention isnot limited by this effect.

Although the invention has been described with reference to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely provided as anexample and it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details and equivalents thereof may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display unitdisposed over a substrate and including a first display area and asecond display area, each of the first display area and second displayarea including a plurality of pixel arrays and the second display areafurther including a rounded corner portion; a first line extending in afirst direction in a non-display area on one side of the display unit; aplurality of first wires which connects to a plurality of pixels, theplurality of first wires being arranged in the first display area in thefirst direction and extending in a second direction which intersectswith the first direction, extending to an area between the first displayarea and the first line, and being connected to the first line; and aplurality of second wires which connects to the plurality of pixels, theplurality of second wires being arranged in the second display area inthe first direction, and being disconnected from the first line in anarea between the second display area and the first line.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first wires and theplurality of second wires are electrically connected to a plurality ofconnection lines extending in the first direction.
 3. The display deviceof claim 2, wherein the plurality of connection lines intersects withthe plurality of first wires and the plurality of second wires toconstitute a mesh shape.
 4. The display device of claim 2, wherein theplurality of first wires supplies the driving voltage to the pluralityof pixels disposed in the first display area through the plurality ofconnection lines, and wherein the plurality of second wires supplies thedriving voltage to the plurality of pixels disposed in the seconddisplay area through the plurality of connection lines.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a switching unit including aplurality of demultiplexers which is arranged in the non-display area,demuxes a data signal and supplies the demuxed data signal to aplurality of data lines; and a second line arranged in parallel to thefirst line with the switching unit therebetween and connected to aterminal unit at an edge of the substrate, wherein the display unitincludes a plurality of scan lines and the plurality of data linesrespectively connected to the plurality of pixels.
 6. The display deviceof claim 5, wherein the switching unit includes: a first switching unitwhich demuxes a data signal supplied to the first display area; and asecond switching unit which demuxes a data signal supplied to the seconddisplay area, wherein a plurality of first demultiplexers included inthe first switching unit is arranged at a first pitch, and a pluralityof second demultiplexers included in the second switching unit isarranged at a second pitch less than the first pitch.
 7. The displaydevice of claim 6, wherein the first line and the second line areelectrically connected to each other through a plurality of connectionlines arranged between the plurality of first demultiplexers.
 8. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein pixels of the plurality of pixelswhich are adjacent to an outer edge of the display unit are arrangedstepwise.
 9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display unit hasone of a polygonal shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape. 10.The display device of claim 1, further comprising a substrate over whichthe display unit is disposed, the substrate including curved edges. 11.The display device of claim 1, wherein a length of the plurality ofsecond wires extending in the second direction is less than a length ofthe plurality of first wires.
 12. A display device comprising: a displayunit in which a first display area and a second display area including acorner portion at an edge of the first display area are defined, thedisplay unit including a plurality of first pixels and a plurality ofsecond pixels, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of secondpixels being respectively disposed in the first display area and thesecond display area, and being connected to a plurality of first linesand a plurality of lines extending in a second direction and a pluralityof second lines extending in a first direction which intersects with thesecond direction; a second driver and a first driver arranged in anon-display area, the non-display area being outside of the displayunit; a switching unit including a plurality of demultiplexers which isarranged in the non-display area, demuxes a first signal output from thefirst driver and supplies the demuxed first signal to the plurality offirst lines; and a conductive line arranged in the non-display area andconnected to the plurality of lines extending from the display unit,wherein the plurality of lines include a first line connected to theplurality of first pixels and a second line connected to the pluralityof second pixels, the first line extends to the non-display area and isconnected to the conductive line, and the second line is disconnectedfrom the conductive line in the non-display area.
 13. The display deviceof claim 12, wherein the corner portion has a rounded shape.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 12, wherein pixels of the plurality of pixelswhich are adjacent to an outer edge of the display unit are arrangedstepwise.
 15. The display device of claim 12, wherein the switching unitfurther includes: a first switching unit which demuxes the first signalsupplied to the plurality of first pixels; and a second switching unitwhich demuxes the first signal supplied to the plurality of secondpixels, wherein a plurality of demultiplexers included in the firstswitching unit is arranged at a first pitch, and a plurality ofdemultiplexers included in the second switching unit is arranged at asecond pitch less than the first pitch.
 16. The display device of claim12, wherein a driving voltage supplied to the plurality of lines issupplied along a mesh path.
 17. The display device of claim 12, furthercomprising a plurality of connection lines extending in the firstdirection, the plurality of connection lines being connected to thefirst line and the second line by contacting the first line and thesecond line.
 18. The display device of claim 17, wherein an insulatinglayer is arranged between the plurality of connection lines and thefirst line and the second line, and the plurality of connection lines iselectrically connected to the first line and the second line through acontact hole in the insulating layer.
 19. The display device of claim12, wherein the conductive line includes a first line and a second lineextending in the first direction with the switching unit therebetween,the plurality of lines is connected to the first line, and the secondline is connected to a terminal unit.
 20. The display device of claim19, wherein the conductive line further includes a plurality ofconnection lines connecting the first line and the second line, theplurality of connection lines being disposed between the plurality ofdemultiplexers.